Drug Factuals

Depressants

What are depressants?

Depressants are drugs that slow down the normal function of the central nervous system (CNS) and suppress the neural activities in the brain. Depressants work by affecting the part of the brain that controls a person’s bodily functions like breathing and heartbeat. Depressants affect each person differently; response times to depressants can range from immediate to several hours.

Examples of depressants are alcohol, marijuana, inhalants and prescription drugs. The prescription drugs that affect the central nervous system are also referred to as downers, sedatives, hypnotics, minor tranquilizers, and anxiolytics or anti-anxiety medications.

Depressants include:
Alcohol

Depressants by Drug Types
Drug name >>> brand / trade names. Please note name of drugs may differ by country

Alcohol (ethanol)

Beer

Wine

Alcohol

Barbiturates

Aprobarbital >> Alurate

Amobarbital >> Amytal

Amylbarbial & Secobarbital >> Tuinal

Butabarbital >> Buticaps, Butisol, Butalan

Butarlbital >> Esgic, Fiorinal

Hexobarbital >> Sombulex

Mephobarbital >> Mebaral

Pentobarbital >> Nembutal

Phenobarbital >> Solfoton

Secobarbital >> Seconal

Thiopental >> Pentothal

Benzodiazepines

Alprazolam >> Xanax

Chlorazepate >> Tranxene

Chlordiazepoxide >> Librium

Clonazepam >> Klonopin, Rivotil

Diazepam >> Valium, Ducene

Estalozam >> ProSom

Flunitrazepam >> Rohypnol

Flurazepam >> Dalmadorm, Dalmane

Halazepam >> Paxipam

Lorazepan >> Ativan

Nitrazepam >> Alodorm, Mogadon

Oxazepam >> Alepam, Murelax, Serax, Serepax

Prazepam >> Centrax

Quazepam >> Doral

Temazepam >> Euhypnos, Normison, Restoril

Triazolam >> Halcion

Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)

Gamma butyrolactone (GBL)

and 1,4-butanediol are GHB analogues

Inhalents & Solvents

See Inhalants

Marijuana / Cannabis

Hash Oil

Hashish

Cannabinoids

Dronabinol >> Marinol

Nabilone >>Cesamet

Sativex

Others

Bromide salts

Chloral Hydrate >> Aquachloral, Aquachloral Supprettes, Noctec

Ethchlorvynol >> Placidyl

Glutethimide >> Doriden

Mandrax

Meprobamate >> Apo-Meprobamate, Equanil, Meprospan, Miltown, Trancot

Methaqualone >> Sopor, Quaalude

Methyprylon >> Noludar

Paradelhyde >> Paral

Why do people take depressants?

Depressants are prescribed by doctors to tranquilize and/or relieve anxiety, irritability, and tension; some may also be used to sedate or induce sleep.

Diminished balance and response time, learning and behavioral problems.

Newborns may show signs of drug dependence, and/or withdrawal symptoms.

Symptoms of depressants overdose

Shallow respiration

Clammy skin

Dilated pupils

Weak and rapid pulse

Coma

Death

Withdrawal symptoms

The withdrawal from depressants may be hazardous and/or potentially lethal. To stop abruptly or reduce the dosage of depressants the user may be at risk of convulsions, delirium, and death. Symptoms of withdrawal can last 8-10 days.

Anxiety

Delirium

Disorientation

Gastrointestinal upset

Hallucinations

Insomnia

Convulsions

Loss of appetite

Sweating

Weakness

Possible death

Tremors

Changes in perception (altered sensitivity to light, sound and smells)